Tourism presents itself as a complex reality with influence on territorial issues. Islands are typically fragile systems, limited and with a frequent economic specialization, but harbor great natural and cultural wealth.
The Autonomous Region of Madeira has an outermost, small island territory and its development is dependent on those two conditions. However, the region was able to create attractions that allowed the constant tourist traffic - therapeutic and leisure - generating local economic development.
From 1900 it was evident the need for infrastructure, equipment and services suited to the quality destination and that allowed the touristic growth. Successive policies rested on strong investment, especially for the construction of equipment, improving internal and external accessibility and implementation services that enable exploitation of tourism resources and the consequent regional development.
Currently, with the reduction of financial resources available, it requires a structural change in the territorial and tourism models in the region, focused on regeneration of existing infrastructure and equipment and to maximize tourism resources.